When the wood duck was declared Michigan’s state duck last month, its welcoming party — a growing community of both beginner and veteran birders — was perhaps as popular as it’s ever been.
WATCH: Wood Duck’s promotion to State Duck gets approval from local wildlife photographer
New state symbol, a wood duck, coincides with rise in birding in Michigan
According to a recent report from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, an estimated 96 million birders in the United States annually spend more than $100 billion on the hobby, purchasing equipment such as binoculars, cameras and field guides while also paying for travel and recreation opportunities across the country.
Locally, the Grand Rapids Audubon Club has tripled in size since over the past six years…